Key happy to be thorn between two roses

Prime Minister John Key says he does not care whether activist Titewhai Harawira or someone else escorts him on to the lower marae at Waitangi.

Marae trustees spokesman Rihari Dargaville said Mrs Harawira and kuia Ani Taurua would escort Mr Key on to Te Tii Marae today, but confusion remained last night.

Mrs Harawira was expected to be unhappy with the decision, despite being able to escort all other dignitaries by herself.

‘‘She is determined that she will continue to maintain her position,’’ Mr Dargaville said.

Marae elders did not want to prevent her from doing that, but wanted Mrs Taurua to represent the local hapu.

‘‘No-one’s agreed . . . I think you have to sort of have a perception that [Mrs Harawira] wouldn’t be happy, but that’s a decision made.’’

Mrs Harawira’s daughter, Hinewhare, said speculation about who would walk beside Mr Key was gossip. ‘‘My mother, she’s been [there] for over 50 years to ensure that governments of this country understand the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.’’

Mr Key said his office has not been informed about who his escort would be but it was a matter for the marae elders.

‘‘I don’t care – it’ll be what it will be. In all probability it will Titewhai Harawira I expect, because she escorted the governor-general.’’

He was not worried about the prospect of having a woman on each arm: ‘‘A thorn among roses’’.

‘‘My experience of being there in the past is you can be pretty sure Titewhai will be somewhere near me, and near the front pretty quickly.’’

He was a guest at the marae and had learnt not to involve himself in Maori politics, Mr Key said.

There were usually protesters and conflict at Waitangi and he expected the same again this year.

‘‘In 2009, when I went there when I was first prime minister, I really expected it to be quite a celebratory type of occasion, and that proved not to be the case.’’

That year he was jostled by brothers Wi and John Popata.

Maori Council co-chairman Maanu Paul will give a speech on water rights during the official proceedings today and the independent iwi constitutional working group, commissioned by the Iwi Leaders Group, will deliver a blunt message.

The group held more than 100 meetings around the country and must now come up with a model constitution.

Chairwoman Margaret Mutu said its final report would be presented in December. ‘‘ Our people do see that they have no constitutional rights in this country and they’re not going to get it until there is a written constitution.’’

The Foreshore and Seabed debate was a classic example of Maori not being able to have a say in issues that directly had an impact on them, but farmers protesting against a proposed ‘‘fart tax’’ were heard, Professor Mutu said. ‘‘So 124 Pakehas get listened to but 50,000 Maori don’t, and that comes down to your lack of constitutional security.’’

Maori were unhappy and at the end of their tether, she said.